Yusuf Maitama Tuggar has stepped down from his position as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs to pursue his ambition of becoming the next governor of Bauchi State in the 2027 general elections.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nigeria confirmed the development on Monday through its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.
According to the statement, Tuggar formally submitted his resignation letter shortly after noon, signaling his official entry into the race for Bauchi’s top political seat.
Sources indicate that the former minister will contest the governorship election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Tuggar’s exit follows a directive issued earlier in March by the presidency, mandating all political appointees seeking elective offices to resign on or before March 31, 2026. The directive was conveyed through the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
The order affects ministers, aides, and heads of federal agencies and is anchored on Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026. It is aimed at preventing conflicts of interest and ensuring a level playing field as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
Tuggar’s resignation adds to the growing list of high-profile political figures stepping down from government roles to pursue electoral ambitions.
